Reel-winding apparatus



Nov. 17, 1959 A1 NELSON REEL-WlNDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 9, 1956 6Sheets-Sheet 1 Nqv. 17, v1959 A. w. NELSON f REEL-WINDINGAPPARATUS 6Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 9, 1956 Nov. 17, 1959 A. w. NELSONREEL-WINDING APPARATUS.

6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. v9, 1956 Nov. 17, 1959 A. w. NELSON''2,913,191

REELWINDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. s. 1956 e sheetsf-sneet 4 Nov. 17',1959 A. w. NELSON REEL-WINDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 9, 195ev 6Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 17, 1959 A. w. NELSON 2,913,191

REEL-WINDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 9, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 1 INVENToR.Hide?? AfA/Z902? nitecl States Patent" C REEL-WIN DIN G APPARATUS AldenW. Nelson, Pawtucket, RJ., assignor to Standard Machinery Division ofFranklin Research Corporation, Mystic, Conn., a corporation of DelawareApplication November 9, 1956, Serial No. 621,243

16 Claims. (Cl. 242-25) This invention relates generally to reel Windingapparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for winding continuouslyfed exible stock on reels.

Reel winding apparatus of the type to which the present inventionrelates takes in continuously delivered stock and winds it inpredetermined lengths on successive reels for its convenient storage andtransport until put to its ultimate use. Reel winding apparatus to whichthe present invention relates more particularly is of the heavierdutytype requiring journal supports at both ends of each reel being wound.Commonly, apparatus of this type have facilities for removablysupporting two reels sideby-side for rotation in winding position, onereel being wound at a time until full, whereupon the other reel is woundWhile the full reel is removed from the apparatus and replaced by anempty reel to be wound next. Reels are thus alternately wound in theapparatus and replaced by empty reels until a continuous supply stock isfully wound on reels. The reels in the apparatus are separatelypower-driven, commonly under manual control, and the stock is directedinto the respective reels in oryderly lays by traverse guides underautomatic or semiautomatic control, the wound stock on each full reelbeing severed from the supply stock and the latter anchored to the nextreel to be wound and also placed on the respective traverse guidetherefor.

It is among the important objects of the present invention to providewinding apparatus of this type with twin reel stands or carriers on eachof which reels may be exchanged, and connected with and disconnectedfrom ya power drive, quickly and without any appreciable elort on thepart of a single attendant. To this end, each reel stand isappropriately U-shaped, having spaced arms which straddle a reel and attheir top ends removably support the opposite journal ends of aremovable adapter shaft in the reel, while they are at the bottompivotally mounted'for swinging movement into raised reel-winding :andlowered reel-exchange positions. To the same end also, the power driveassociated with each reel stand includes, besides the usual coupling armand pin near one end of the adapter shaft for the drive of a reelthereon, also a quickly engageable and disengageable coupling havingcompanion driven and driving elements on one of the journal ends of theadapter shaft and the adjacent standv arm, respectively, for driving theadapter .shaft during a reel-winding operation and disconnecting it fromthe power drive so that it may remain in a full reel while the latter isremoved from the stand, thereby -to facilitate not only the removal of afull reel from the ystand but also the removal of the adapter shaft fromlthe full reel and its application to an empty reel to be wound as 'wellas the placement of the latter on the stand.

It is another object of the present invention to provide windingapparatus of this type in which the aforemen- 'tioned coupling for thedrive of the adapter shaft in each stand is of the slider type, thedriving element thereof in the stand arm being slidable into and fromcou- 2,913,191 Patented Nov. 17, 19,59

ice

` the adapter shaft, thereby permitting the advantageous prime mover,presently a motor-driven multistage changeuse of reel stands of the typeshown and described in my copending application Serial No'. 552,023, ledDecember 9, 1955, now U.S. Patent No. 2,879,011. A

l reel stand of this type is characterized by the provision in the topends of the stand arms Vof partial bearings which are open outwardlyaway from the pivot axis of the stand for lateral passage thereinto andremoval therefrom of the journal ends of an adapter shaft in a reel, sothat the latter may be rolled on the floor into supporting relation withthe partial bearings and raised directly from the floor as well aslowered thereonto on merely swinging the stand into its aforementionedreel winding and exchange positions, respectively, with the partialbearings even acting to cam the journal ends of the adapter shafttherefrom and thereby entirely release the reel from the stand onswinging the latter even lower after the reel is lowered onto the door.

It is another object of the present invention to pro- Vide in windingapparatus of this type for the power drive of a reel in each stand,hereinafter referred to as reel drive, a manual control which may bemanipulated by the operator to start and interrupt the drive, and toprovide in each reel drive a powerful brake which, on each manipulationof the associated control for an interruption of the drive, will beapplied to the latter for immediately stoppingV the same and, hence, thefull reel on the associated stand with its considerable inertia, therebyto permit severance of the supply stock from the wound stock on eachfull reel and the anchorage of the severed end of the :supply stock toeach empty reel to be wound, immediately on manipulating the respectivecontrols for interruption of their associated reel drives It is afurther object vof the present invention to provide in winding apparatusofthis type rotary operating spindles which are threadedly connectedwith and operate the aforementioned traverse guides, respectively, oneat a time, and further to provide separate spindle drives the controlsof which are so interrelated with the controls of the aforementionedreel drives, that on manipulation' of the control for starting andstopping eitherreel drive the associated spindle drive'is renderedoperative and inoperative, respectively, with the associated traverseguide returning, however, to a starting position adjacent one end of areel on the associated stand after each manipulation of the control for:interrupting the respective reel drive, thereby to achieve a correctstart of the wire wind in the reel on either stand on manipulation ofthe control for starting the respective reel drive. In this connection,each spindle drive includes drive sections for imparting to theassociated spindle rotation in opposite directions, respectively, andnormally disengaged electromagnetic clutches which on engagement renderthe respective drive sections operative, these clutches being during thedrivev of a reel on the associated stand alternately engaged onactuation` of a switch on the associated traverse guidey j by limitstops, respectively, at the opposite ends of the proper traverse rangeof the guide for a given width of the reel. These limit stops are,moreover, adjustable to coordinate the traverse range of the guideswithv any particular widthof reels to be wound.

The reel and spindle drives have preferably a commonV speed gearing ofwhich the several speed stages areal?- plied forvreel sizes, and morevparticularly reel diameters, within several different ranges,respectively, in order that the yapparatus may wind wire stock onsuccessive reelsv of most any diameter, within limits, at an overallrate which is commensurate with an efficient stock delivery rate to theapparatus, be it directly from an extruder and/,or vulcanizer.Furthermore, each spindle drive includes a change-speed mechanism whichis adjustable, even while the apparatusjisA performing a windingoperation,'to drive the associated spindle at a speed which isinfinitely variable, between limits, so that theA associated guide maylead wire stock in orderly side-by-side lays onto reels of most anydiameter within the aforementioned ranges of reel sizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in windingapparatus of this type for ready manual rotation `injeither direction ofthe operating spindle for each traverse guide, and for interruptionunde'rnianual control of the "associated spindlel drive when operative,presently by disengagement of both of the'afoi'ementionedelectrom'agneticV clutches'thereof, without interrupting the associatedreel drive, howeventhereby topermit shifting of' eitheroperativeitraverse guidele'ven during 'a reelwinding operation, inorder' to bring Vthe wirestock led therefrom into alignment with thewire turns asthey are being wound 'in orderly sideby-side relation forthe first time on an associated driven reel ofa new rdiameter after theaforementioned change-speed gearing and/or associated change-speedmechanism have rst been adjusted to achieve a traverse speed of theguide Vat which the stock led therefrom is being wound in suchorderlysideby-side turns on the reel of the new size.V i A furtherobject of the present invention is to have readily accessible provisionsin Winding 'apparatus of this type, preferably at two different stationsthereof at which an operator may well observe winding operations onreels on the two stands, respectively,`for manipulation of the adjacentspindle in opposite directions and for manual interruption andresumption of the drive therefor at either station, thereby to enable anoperator to undertake single-handed the aforementioned shift of eithertraverse guide for alignment of the wire stock led therefrom with theorderly side-by-side wire turns being wound on an associated driven reelof a new diameter, as well as to cause resumption of the associatedinterrupted spindle drive immediately on achieving alignment of thestock from the guide with the wire turns being VWound side-byside on thereel. y j

' Other objects and advantages will appear to those skilled -in the artfrom the following, considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. y Y In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes ofcarrying out the present invention are shownV for illustrative purposes:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of Winding apparatus embodying the presentinvention; i A i Figs. 2A and 2B together constitute a front elevationpartly in section, of the Winding apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of thewinding apparatus as viewed in thedirection of arrow V3 in Fig. 2B;

Fig. 4 is a cross section through the winding apparatus, takensubstantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2 B;

Fig. 4A is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line iA-LlA ofFig. 4;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentarylongitudinal section through the windingapparatus, taken substantially ontvhe line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Y i i Fig. 6is another fragmentary longitudinal section through the windingapparatus, substantially as taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4; i' l Fig. 7is a fragmentary section taken on the line` '7 7 of Fig. 2A; v

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section takenronthe line 8- 8Y of Fig.2A; Y l Y Fig'. 9 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 97- 9 fFis-8; i' i' Figi 9A is an enlarged fragmentaryY section, partly inelevation, of certain drive elementsof the: apparatus;

"i Fig. l0 is afragmentary View of the winding apparatus,

4 showing a certain operating device thereof in its performingcondition;

Fig. 1l is a diagrammatic view showing a control arrangement for theoperating device of the Winding apparatus shown in its performingcondition in Fig. l0;

Fig. l2 is a `wiring diagram of certain prominent controls of theWinding apparatus; and

Fig. l3 is a wiring diagram of other prominent controls of theV windingapparatus.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. l, 2A, 2B, 3and 4 thereof, the reference numeral 20 designates a dual-reel windingapparatus having a main rame 22 which carries the various operatingdevices of the apparatus. The main frame 22 comprises, in the presentinstance, opposite end brackets or castings 24 and 26, each beingpresently formed of suitably joined top and bottom sections 25a and ZSb,and a number of ties between the end castings 24 and 26. The ties are,in the present instance, rods o'r bars Y28a-ci and a rchannel bar 30which rmly connect the end brackets Z4 and 26 at their top sections 25a,and angles 32, 34 and a channel bar 36 of which the former rmly connectthe lower sections 25b of the end brackets 24 and 26 in the rear thereofat the top and bottom, respectively, while the channel bar 36 rirmlyconnects the same lowerV bracket sections at the front and bottomthereof. The `rnain frame 22 is further reenforced by upright angles 3S,and 4Q which connect the rear angles 32 and SLi/near the adjacent endbrackets 24 and 26, respectively, and by additional horizontal angles42, 44, 45, 46, 4S and 50 which connect the rear angle 34 with the frontchannel bar 36. at the bottom of the main frame.

The various operatingdevices ofthe apparatus are reel stands 52, reelspindle units 54 (Fig. 2A), standoperating devices 56, reel drives 58,stock" guides 60, guide-op erating means 52, stock anchor means 64,stock-severing means de, (an accumulator 68, a Vstock tension control7,0 therefor, and drive controls.

Reel stands The present apparatus comprises two stands 52, each forremovably supporting a rotary reel R for winding continuous stock sthereon. Reels on the standsv 52' are 'successively wound with stock,and each full reel lis replaced by an empty reel while the other, reelVis being wound with stock.` Each stand 52 is also shiftable intoreelwinding and reel-exchange positions in which a reel thereon is freeto turn above the floor or another support and is lowered thereunto forreplacement'by an empty reel, respectively. Since both standsy areidentical Vin their construction and performance, except that they areof left and right hand design (Figs. lf, 2A and 2B), only one of thesestands, namelygthe left-hand` stand 52A, will be described in detailwith particular reference to Figs. l, 2A and 3^. Thus, the standSZA isgene-rally U-shaped, having opposite side arms F'Zwan'dr 74` andacross-connection 76. which presently is in the form of a rock shaft.The side arms 72 and '7.4, which are preferably castings, have hubformations 7S and Sil by means of which they are keyed at 82 to theopposite ends of the rock shaft '76. The rock shaft 76 of the stand 52Ais journalled in suitable bearings $4 and 36 in the channel barcf themain frame 22, so that the stand is swingable, about the axis of therock shaft 76, into the upright/reel--winding position shown in Figs. l,2A and 3', and into a forwardly inclined reel-exchange position such asthat in which the other reel stand 52B is shownV in Fig. l. In 'order torigidify the stand 52A and relieve the key connections $2 of the standarms 72 and '74 with the rock shaft 76 of excessive shear forces, thestand arms 72 and 74` are provided at their bottoms with rear extensionsS5 and 87 which are connected by a tie rod 89.' The arms 72 and 74 ofthe stand 52A are at their top ends generally forkshaped,` eachproviding a reel bearing 83 (see also Fig. 7) having a semicylindricalbearing surface or seat and op-` 5. posite pr'ongs 92 and 94 theopposing surfaces 92a and 94a of which are continuous with the bearingseat 90 and dene a lateral entry passage to the latter for a journalassembly 96 on a reel R. Preferably, the reel bearings SS in both standarms 72 and 74 are identical.

As already mentioned, the other reel stand 52B is in all respectsidentical with the described reel stand 52A, except that the stands areof left and right hand design. Certain prominent parts of the reel stand52B are identilied in the drawings by the same reference numerals astheir counterparts of the stand 52A, except that the suflix b is addedthereto.

Reel spindle units As already mentioned, reels are supported in thestands 52 on journal assemblies 96 on the opposite ends of the reels.However, these journal assemblies 96 do not form parts of each reel, butrather form parts of reel spindle units 54 which are exchanged insuccessive reels for their support and drive in the stands.

Since the reel spindle units 54A and 54B in the reels in both stands 52Aand 52B are identical, only one of these units, namely, the unit 54Awhich is presently applied to the reel R in the stand 52A, will bedescribed in detail with particular reference to Fig. 2A. Thus, thespindle unit 54A comprises a spindle 100 having the opposite journalassemblies 96 and carrying a coupling arm 102. In the present instance,the spindle 100 consists of a hollow shaft 104 and solid stubs 106 whichproject from, and are firmly secured in, the opposite ends of the hollowshaft. The left-hand journal assembly 96 on the spindle 100 (Figs. 2Aand 7), being the one adjacent the coupling arm 102, comprises a ballbearing 108 of which the inner race 110 is pressiitted on the adjacentstub end 106 of the spindle, while the outer race 112 is received in aroller 114 which is presently seated in the adjacent reel bearing 88 andhas opposite side anges 116 that prevent axial removal of the rollerfrom the reel bearing. The journal assembly 96 is thus nonremovablymounted on the spindle 100.

The opposite journal assembly 96" -is in all respects like the describedjournal assembly 96', except that the innerrace 110" of the ball bearing108 of the journal assembly 96 is pressftted on a sleeve 118 which isaxially removable from the adjacent stub end 106 of the spindle,wherefore the entire journal assembly 96", including the sleeve 118, isas a unit removable from and replaceable on the spindle 100. Forconvenience, the parts of the journal 96" are in Fig. 2A identified bythe same reference numerals as their counterparts of the journal 96',except that the sulx has been added thereto.

The coupling arm 102, which is keyed at 120 to the left stub 106 of thespindle 100 (Fig. 2A) just inside the non-removable journal assembly96', carries at least one, and preferably two, coupling pins 122 whichare adjustable on the arm in radial slots 124 therein (Figs. 1 and 3) inorder to be alignable and registrable in coupling relation with holes hin the adjacent end disc d of the reel R' in the stand 52A (Fig. 2A).Thus, the coupling pins.

122 and arm 102 serve drivingly to connect the reel with the spindle.

The spindle unit 54a further includes a removable collar 126 which isreleasably locked by a set screw 128 to the spindle 100 in position tohold theireel R', or for that matter any other reel of different width,in coupled relation with the pins 122 on the arm 102.

The spindle unit 54A is, like the spindle unit 54B presently in theadjacent stand 52B, adapted for exchange from a fully-wound reel into anempty reel to be wound. To this end, the spindle unit 54A is removedfrom the presently associated reel R when the latter is fully wound.However, removal of the spindle unit 54A from the full reel R' ispossible only after the latter has been removed from the stand 52A. Forthe removal of sociated operating device to be described hereinafter andunder the control of an operator, swung from its upright windingposition downwardly into an inclined exchange position in which the reelmay nearly rest on the iloor, for instance. On subsequent disengagementof the spindle unit 54A from the associated reel drive in a mannerdescribed hereinafter, the operator will cause the stand 52A to swingeven lower, in the course of which the reel will come to rest on the oorand the surfaces 94a of the reel bearings 88 in the stand arms 72 and 74(Figs. 3 and 7) will thereupon act to cam the journal assemblies 96and96" from the latter and thus entirely release the reel from thestand. In this respect, the present reel stand 52A performs like thestand disclosed in my aforementioned Patent No. 2,879,011. Once the reelR is thus completely released from the stand 52A, the spindle unit 54Amay quickly be removed from the reel on simply sliding the journalassembly 96 and the collar 126 from the spindle 100 after firstloosening the set screw 128 in the collar, and then axially removing thespindle 100 with the attached journal assembly 96 and coupling arm 102from the hub h of the reel, as will be readily understood. The spindleunit may thereupon be as quickly applied to a new reel by passing thespindle 100 through the hub thereof and bringing the coupling pins 122into registry with holes in the adjacent end disc ofthe new reel,whereupon the collar 126 and the journal assembly 96 are applied to thespindle adjacent the other end disc of the reel. The new reel may thenbe rolled on the oor in order to pass the journal assemblies 96 and 96thereon directly into the reel bearings 88 in the arms 72 and 74 of thelowered stand 52A, whereupon the latter may, under the operatorscontrol, be swung into winding position for 'a winding operation. Itfollows from the preceding that reels may quickly be exchanged in eitherlreel stand without any real physical elort by the operator.

Stand-operating devices The operating devices 56A and 56B for therespective reel stands 52A and 52B are identical, wherefore only one ofthese operating devices will be described in detail, namely, the device56B due to its more detailed illustration in the drawings. Thus, as bestshown in Figs. 1, 2B and 4, the stand-operating device 56B comprises afluidpressure operated, and preferably air-pressure operated, cylinder130 and piston 132 of which the rod 134 of the latter is pivotallyconnected at 136 with the reel stand 52B near its top. Moreparticularly, the piston rod 134 carries a clevis 138 receiving thepivot pin 136 which extends with its ends into rearwardly extendingspaced lugs 140 on one of the arms of the stand 52B, presently the arm72b (see also Fig. 2B). The cylinder 130 is presently clamped,preferably near its center of gravity, to a collar 142 having oppositetrunnions 144 and 146 journalled in suitable bearings 148 and 150' onthe rear angle 40 and end casting 26, respectively, of the main frame22. The cylinder 130, being presently of the double-acting type, is atits front and rear ends 152 and 154 provided with suitable air admissionand discharge ducts which through hose connections are in communicationwith a manual control valve (neither shown). This valve, which may beentirely conventional and arranged within easy reach of an operator nearthe stand 52B, may be operable to admit compressed air into eithercylinder end 152 or 154 and simultaneously vent the other cylinder end.Thus, on admitting compressed air into the cylinder end 152 andsimultaneously venting the other cylinder end 154, the reel stand 52B isswung into its winding position (Fig. 4). Conversely, on admittingcompressed air into the cylinder end 154 and simultaneously venting theother cylinder end 152, the stand 52B will be swung into reel-exchangeposition (Fig. 1).

Provisions are made solidly to back the reel stand in its windingposition against the main frame 22 so that any vibrational tendencies ofthe former under a relatively heavy and more or less dynamicallyunbalanced reel load thereon will be transmitted to the main frame andeffectively suppressed thereby. To this end, the arm 72b of the stand52B is, in the winding position of the latter, solidly backed againstthe main frame 22 through intermediation of the cylinder 133 and piston132 of which the latter is backed against the closed rear end 154 of theformer when -the stand is in its winding position. To the same end also,the other arms 7412 of the stand 52B, and more particularly the rearextension 87h thereof, is in the Winding position of the stand solidlybacked against a stop or abutment om the main frame 22. In the presentinstance, this stop is in the form of an adjustable set screw 15S in ablock 160 at the rear of the channel bar 36 of the main frame (Fig. 4).Thus, uniform backing of both arms 72b and 74h of the stand 52B` in itswinding position against the main frame 22 is readily achieved on properadjustment of the set screw 158. More importantly, the set screw 15S mayreadily'be adjusted so that there will be inducedin the U-shaped stand52B in its winding position a torsional stress which, while harmless, isnevertheless adequate effectively to suppress vibrational tendencies ofthe stand at their Very inception.

As already mentioned, the operating device 56A for the other reel stand52A is in all respects like the described operating device 56B, andprominent parts of the device 56A are identified in Fig. 2A by the samereference numerals as their counterparts of the device 56B, except thatthe suix a is added thereto. The cylinder 13Go of the operating device56A for `the stand 52A is, through intermediation of the collar 142e,pivotally mounted on the rear angle 3S and end casting 24 of the mainframe 22, and the piston in the cylinder 130e is connected with the arm72 of the stand 52A. Also, the arm 72 of the stand 52A is, in thewinding position of the latter, solidly backed against the main frame 22through intermediation of the operating device 56A, while the otherstand arm 74, and more particularly the rearward extension 87 thereof isthen also solidly backed against the set screw 158a Vin the block 160ain the rear of the channel bar 36 of the main frame.

Reel drives The reel drives 58A and 58B for the stands 52A and 52B,respectively, are identical, wherefore only one of these reel drives,namely, the drive 58A, will be described in detail. Before proceedingwith a detailed description of the reel drive 58A, however, reference ishad to a drive aggregate which is common to both reel drives. Thus,there is provided, in back of the main frame 22, a common prime mover179 (Figs. 2A and 3) which presently is a motor-powered dynamatic driveof the kind manufactured by the Dynamatic Division of the EatonManufacturing Company at Kenosha, Wisconsin, and comprises an electricmotor and a driven slip-type electromagnetic clutch referred to in somedetail hereinafter. This clutch has an output shaft 172 which is coupledat 173 to the input shaft 175 of a multistage change-speed gearing 177(Fig. 2A). The output shaft 179 of the change-speed gearing 177 carriesa sheave 174 which through a plurality of belts 176 is drivinglyconnected with a sheave 178 on a common or main drive shaft 180 (Figs.2A, 2B, 3 and 5). The main drive shaft 180 is journalled at spacedintervals in suitable bearings 182, 184, 186, 188 'and 196 (Fig. 5) ofwhich the end bearings 182 :and 19t) are Vmounted on angles 192 and 194on the end castings 24 and 26, respectively, of `the main frame, and theintermediate bearings 184, 186 and V188 are mounted on the frameYangles48, 45 and 44,

respectively.

The reel drive 58A branches'fror'n'themain drive shaft 180, andcomprises a conventional `electromagnetic clutch 200 (Fig. 5) having a`driven member 202 and a driving member 204 of which the latter is amagnetic friction disc axially yieldingly carried on pins 266 on asheave 208 which is keyed at 2.10 to the main drive shaft 18S. Thedriven clutch member 202, which carries a friction disc 212 i-nconfronting relation with `the driving disc 204, is provided with theusual coil means, presently illustrated as a clutch coil 214 in thewiring diagram ofFig. l2, which, when energized, causes engagement ofthe clutch 200 by producing a magnetic field with ensuing attraction ofthe driving clutch disc 264 into driving engagement with the companionclutch disc 212. The driven clutch member 202 is bolted at 216 to adrive sleeve 218 which is freely turnable on the main drive shaft 180and has keyed thereto at 220 a sheave 222 which through a plurality ofbelts 224 is drivingly connected with the larger-diameter section 225 ofa step sheave 226 that is freely turnable on the outer end of the rockshaft 76 of the associated reel stand 52A (Fig. 2A). The belts 224 areled over a tightener roll 22S in a bracket 230 in the rear of thechannel bar 36 of the main frame 22 (Fig. 3). The step sheave 226 isprovided with a smaller-diameter section 232 (Fig. 2A) which through aplurality of belts 234 is drivingly connected with a sheave 236, keyedat 238 to a drive sleeve 240 which through intermediation of ballbearings 242 is journalled in the stand arm 72 at the top thereof inaxial alignment with the reel spindle unit 54A presently in the stand.The belts 234 are led over a tightener roll 241 in a bracket 243 whichat 245 is pivoted to lthe stand arm 72. The tension in the belts 234 isregulated by a set screw 247 in the stand arm 72 which bears against thebracket 243 (see also Fig. 3). Axially slidable in, and splined at 244to, the drive sleeve 240 is a coupling pin 246 (Fig. 2A) having at itsouter end a knob 248 for easy back and forth manipulation. The inner endof the pin 246 is formed with spaced lugs or prongs 250 (Figs. 8 and 9)which constitute the active parts of one member of a conventional slidercoupling, the active part of the other member of this coupling beingconstituted by a transverse tongue formation 252 on the adjacent stubend 186 of the spindle 160 of the reel spindle unit 54A. Thus, when thecoupling pin 246 is shifted inwardly into drive position (Fig. 2A), theprongs 250 thereof will be drivingly engaged with the tongue formation252 on the associated reel spindle unit 54A (Figs. 8 and 9) and thusdrive Athe latter and the reel R thereon. Conversely, on retracting thecoupling pin 246, outwardly as viewed in Fig. 2A, the drive of the reelspindle unit 54A is interrupted, as will be readily understood. Theprongs 250 carry a crosspin 251 which, in the drive position of thecoupling pin 246, extends through a notch 253 in the tongue formation252 on the stub end 106 of `the reel spindle (Figs. 8 and 9), andprevents any possible disengagement of the latter from the coupling pinwhen the tension in the wire being wound on the associated reel tends tolift Vthe latter ever so slightly. Obviously, the coupling pin 2.46 isretracted for the hereinbefore described removal of the reel R with ythespindle unit 54A from the stand 52A. On subsequently placing a new reelon the stand 52A through intermediation of the spindle unit 54A, andswinging the stand into its winding posi-tion, the coupling pin 246 isagain shifted to its drive position in orderV to establish its drivingconnection with the spindle unit and, hence, also with the new reelthereon. The coupling pin 246 is releasably locked in its driveposi-tion by a spring-urged ball 256 which then registers with a shallowdepression 25S in the coupling pin (Fig. 2A). Preferably, the couplingpin 246 is axially removable from the drive sleeve 240 so as to permitsubstitution in the latter of a stub shaft on a wellknown collapsiblemandrel, thus permitting winding of the latter in the present apparatus.

As'an added feature there'is provided a brake mechakriisrn260 in thereel'drive 58A'(Fig. 5') which will quickly stop the latter, as well 'asan 'associated driven reel with its considerable inertia, as soon as theelectromagnetic clutch 200 is disengaged. This brake mechanism 260comprises, in the present instance, a brake disc 262 on anelectromagnetic brake member 264 which is suitably mounted on a plate266 thatis, in turn, mounted by stay bolts 268 on the frameV angle 50.Adapted to cooperate with the brake disc 262 is a magnetic disc 270which is axially yieldingly carried by pins 272 on the sleeve 218.Incorporated in the brake member are suitable coil means, presentlyillustrated as a brake coil 274 in the wiring diagram of Fig. l2, which,when energized, causes a powerful brake action on the disconnected partof the real drive 58A, by producing a magnetic field and ensuingattraction of the disc 270 on the driven clutch member 202 into rmengagement with the fixed brake disc 262. Preferably, the magneticclutch 200 and the brake mechanism 260 are covered by a protectiveshield 276 which is suitably mounted on the plate 266. It follows fromthe preceding that the reel drive 58A is operative and inoperative whenthe electromagnetic clutch 200 is engaged and disengaged, respectively,and the drive controls to be described will explain that the brakemember 264 and brake disc 262 thereon will go into action and bring thereel drive 58A and an associated driven reel to a quick stop almostimmediately on disengagement of the clutch 200.

The other reel drive 58B for the strand 52B, which also branches fromthe main drive shaft 180, is, as already mentioned, exactly like thedescribed reel drive 58A, and prominent parts of the drive 58B areidentified in the drawings, wherever convenient, by the same referencenumerals as their counterparts of the drive 58A, except that the suix bis added thereto.

Stock guides vSince the stock guides 60A and 60B for reels on the stands52A and 52B, respectively, are identical, save that they are of left andright hand design (Figs. l, 2A and 2B), only one of these guides,namely, the guide 60B, will be described in detail with particularreference to Figs. 2B and 4. Thus, the guide 60B comprises, in thepresent instance, a series of rollers 280, preferably of antifrictiontype, which are carried in arcuate disposition in a bracket 282 that isbolted at 284 to a guide block 286 having spaced bosses 288 throughwhich extends the frame bar 28a for sliding movement thereon of theguide block axially of the reel R on the associated stand 52B. Arearward extension 290 of the guide block 286 intermediate the bosses288 thereof is at 292 in threaded` engagement with an operating spindle294B which, by power means to be described, may be driven in eitherdirection for causing axial movement of the guide in either directionbetween the end discs d of the reel R on the associated stand 52B. Theoperating spindle 294B is with its opposite ends suitably journalled inthe end casting 26 of the main frame 22 and in an upright bracket 296,respectively, preferably through intermediation of antifriction bearings298 (Figs. 2B and 4A). The bracket 296 is mounted on an angle 298 whichextends forwardly from the frame angle 32 (Figs. 2A and 4) and is bracedby an inclined angle 300 which at the bottom is secured to the frameangle 45. In order to avoid subjection of the operating spindle 294B toharmful bending stresses when the guide is in operation and subjected tosubstan tial downward pulling forces from the stock s passing thereover,the rearward extension '290 of the guide block 286 carries a roller 302which rides on the bottomside of the frame bar 28b (Fig. 4). The blockextension 290 further carries a set screw 304 which normally has slightclearance from the frame bar 28b, but will engage the latter and preventsubjection of the operating spindle 294B to bending stresses if theguide should accidentally be bumped against from below, as will bereadily understood.

It has already been mentioned that the other stock Guide-operating meansThe guide-operating means62 are separate drives 62A and 62B for theoperating spindles 294A and 294B, re-

spectively, which are associated with the stock guides 60A and 60B,respectively. Since these spindle drives are alike in every respect,only one thereof, namely, thespindle drive 62A, will be described indetail with particular reference to Figs. 2A, 4 and 5, the other spindledrive 62B being largely omitted in Fig. 4 for better illustration of thedrive 62A. The spindle drive- 62A, which branches also from the maindrive shaft 180, includes the hereinbefore described sheave 208 (Fig. 5)which through a belt 308 is drivingly connected with a sheave 310 on ashaft 312 that is journalled in suitable bearings 314 and 316 onmounting plates 318 and 320 on the end casting 24 and angle 38 of themain frame. Carried by the shaft 312 is another sheave 322 which througha belt 324 is drivingly connected with a sheave 326 on a shaft 328 thatis suitably journalled in a case 330 which is bolted or otherwisesecured to the end casting 24 of the main frame 22 (Figs. 2A and 4). Thebelt 324 is passed over a tightener roll 332 on a bracket 334 which at336 is adjustably mounted on the end casting 24.y The shaft 328 in thecase 330, which is the input shaft therein, also carries a pulleyelement 338 of a variable-speed drive unit 340 which further includesanother pulley element 342 on a shaft 344 and a connecting belt 346. Theshaft 344 is also journalled in the case 330, and more particularly inthe right sidewall 348 and in an adjacent intermediate bearinglug 350thereof (Fig. 2A). The pulley elements 338 and 342, which are identicaland of wellknown type, have inwardly tapered cheeks 352 and 354,respectively, which are axially adjustable toward and away from theiraxially immovable companion cheeks 356 and 358 which are also inwardlytapered. The cheeks 352 and 354 of the respective pulley elements 338and 342 have extensions 360 and 362 which are iloatinglypivotallyconnected at 364 and 366, respectively, with a shifterY bar 368on opposite sides of and at equal distances from itspivot mount 370 on apost 372 on thersidewall 348 of the case 330. The upper end of theshifter bar 4368 carries a oatingly swivelled nut 374 which receives thethreaded end of an adjustment spindle 376 that is held against axialmovement in a suitable bracket (not shown) on the frame end casting 24and provided on the outside with a handle 378 for easy manipulation.Thus, on turning the spindle 376 at its handle 378 in a direction suchthat the shifter bar 368 will be swung clockwise, for instance, from itsposition in Fig. 2A, the cheeks 352 and 354 of the pulley elements 338and 342 will be shiftedtoward and away from their companion cheeks 356and 358, respectively, with the result that the eective diameters of thelower and upper pulley elements 338 and 342.will beincreased andcorrespondingly decreased, respectively, and the upper pulley elementdriven at correspondingly increased speed from the lower pulley element.The opposite is, of course, true'when the spindle 376 is at its handle378 turned in the opposite direction.

.Carried by Ithe shaft 344, which also carries the pulley element 342,is a gear 380 which is in permanent mesh with an identical gear 382 on ashaft 384, journalled in the casev 330 in the right sidewall 348 and anadjacent intermediate bearing lug 386 thereof. The shafts 384 kand 344also carrymembers 388 and 390 of conventional magnetic clutches 392 and394, respectively, the companion members 396 and 398 o f which arecarried by shafts 400 and 402', respectively, which are journalled inthe left sidewall 404 and in adjacent intermediate bearing lugs 406 and408 of the case 330. Further carried by the shafts 400 and 402 areidentical sprockets 410 and 412, respectively, which are drivinglyconnected, by a single chain 414, with a sprocket 4M on the operatingspindle 294A (see also Fig. 4). The chain 414 passes over a ytightenersprocket 418 (Fig. 4) on a bracket 420 which at 422 is adjustablymounted on the frame end casting 24.

Controls to be described are operative during a winding operation on thereel R' on the stand 52A to reverse the spindle drive 62A and thespindle 294A driven thereby whenever stock led by the guide 60A onto thereel in orderly side-by-side lays thereon reaches the opposite end discsd of the reel so that the stock-Winding operation may continueuninterruptedly and in orderly fashion until the reel is fully wound.ri'he controls referred to achieve this by alternately energizing theusual exciting coils of the normally disengaged magnetic clutches 392andn 394. These coils of the clutches 392 and 394 are shown at 426 and428, respectively, in the wiring diagram of Fig. l2.

Let it now be assumed that the guide 60A, in leading stock onto `thereel R on the stand 52A has just reached the right-hand limit of itsback and forth travel at which the stock is adjacent the right end discof the reel (Figs. 1 and 2A), the controls will then act to reverse thespindle drive 62A in order to cause reverse motion of the guide towardthe left-hand end disc of the reel R', which requires counterclockwiserotation of the operating spindle 294A as viewed in Fig. 4. Under thecircumstances, and since the input shaft 328 in the case 330 is drivencounterclockwise (Fig. 4) from the main drive shaft 180 throughintermediation of the belt drives 308 and 324, the requiredcounterclockwise drive of the operating spindle 294A is achieved onaction of the control means to cause engagement of the magnetic clutch394 through energization of the associated coil 428 (Fig. l2). When theclutch 394 is thus engaged, while the other magnetic clutch 392 isdisengaged, the normal counterclockwise drive of the input shaft 328 inthe case 330 is imparted through the variable-speed drive unit 340,clutch 394 and chain drive 414 to the operating spindle 294A in the samecounterclockwise direction, as required. Conversely, when the guide 60A,on its travel to the left in Figs. l and 2A, reaches its other limit atwhich the stock passing therefrom is adjacent the left end disc of thereel R (Fig. 2A), the controls will act to cause disengagement of themagnetic clutch 394 and engagement of the magnetic clutch 392, resultingin the drive of the operating spindle 294A in clockwise direction asviewed in Fig. 4 and, hence, movement of the stock guide 60A to theright (Figs. l and 2A). Thus, the normal eounterclockwise drive of theinput shaft 328 in the case 330 is now imparted to the operating spindle294A in the opposite direction, this by virtue of the fact that thedrive is now by way of the directionreversing gear 382 (Fig. 2A) and thethen engaged magnetic clutch 392, the other magnetic clutch 394 beingthen disengaged, as described, wherefore the sprocket 412 acts then as amere idler in the chain drive 414 to the operating spindle 294A. Thecontrols to be described thus cause reversals of the operating spindle294A until the reel is fully wound.

As already mentioned, the other spindle drive 62B for the operatingspindle 294B is like the described spindle drive 62A, and prominentparts of the dn've 62B are identified in the drawings, whereverconvenient or necessary, by the same reference numerals, except that thesuffix b is added thereto.

There is also provided a manual drive for the operating spindle 294A. Tothis end, there is provided a short shaft 43,0 (Fig. 2A) which isturnable and axially slidable, coaxially of the operating spindle 294A,in a bearj l l?. ing bracket 432 on the frame end casting 24. The shaft430, which is manually turnable, is at its inner end provided with atransverse key formation 434 which, on shifting the shaft inwardlyagainst the action of a retract spring 436, is registrable with atransverse groove 438 in the adjacent end of the operating spindle 294Afor turning the latter (see also Fig. 9A). The shaft 430 is normallyretracted from driving relation with the operating spindle 294A by thespring 436, and carries a handwheel 440 for easy manipulation. Manualrotation of the operating spindle 294A in this fashion is at timesrequired for a reason explained hereinafter. Of course, manual rotationof the operating spindle 294A is possible only when both magneticclutches 392 and 394 of the spindle drive 62A are disengaged.

There is also provided a manual drive for the other `operating spindle294B. This manual drive is in all respects like the described manualdrive for the operating spindle 294A, and is in part shown in Fig. 2B,charac-A terized by the handwheel 440b.

Stock anchor means The stock anchor means 64 are presently in the formof gripped discs 444 and 446 on a plate formation 448 on a forwardbracket 450 which is mounted on the upright bracket 296 (Figs. l, 2A and3). The disc 446 may be fixedly mounted on the plate formation 448 so asto constitute a shoulder thereon, while the other disc 444 may bepivoted thereon as at 452 slightly eccentric with respect to its truecenter, so that wire stock between the peripheries of both discs 444 and446 will automatically be gripped between the latter with a Wedge-likeaction as soon as the stock is, on insertion between the discs, releasedby an operator and subjected to an upward pull due to the tension of thestock in the over head accumulator to be described. In `the presentinstance, the disc 446 is also pivotally mounted at 454 slightlyeccentric with respect to its true center, so that both discs performwedge-like on stock therebetween. To assure an instantaneous and securegrip by the discs 444 and 446 on stock therebetween, they are preferablyunbalanced so that their centers of gravity are horizontally spacedoutwardly from their respective pivot supports 452 and 454, with theresult that the discs normally gravitate into peripheral engagement witheach other with some force. This is presently achieved by removingmaterial from these discs, as by providing them with holes 456 withinthe distance between their respective pivot supports 452 and 454 (Fig.2A). Thus, after a reel is fully wound and the respective reel drivebrought to a stop, the operator will grasp the supply stock between thereel and accumulator and, after lifting it oif the associated guide 60,pass a length thereof between the anchor discs 444 and 446 whichimmediately on release of the stock by the operator will automatically`grip the stock therebetween. The operator may then cut the supply stockbetween the anchor discs and the full reel and anchor the severed end ofthe supply stock to Vthe next reel to be wound, without having tocontend anchor discs are preferably arranged between the latter (Fig.2A).

Stock severing means The stock severing means 66 comprise, in thepresent instance, cooperating shear blades 460 and 462 (Figs. 2A and 4)of which blade 460 is fixedly mounted on a bar 464 on an angle 466 whichis mounted at 46,8 on one side of the upright bracket or stand 296. Theother shear blade 462 is pivotally connected at 470 with the fixed blade460 and carries a forwardly extending arm 472 which at 474 is pivotallyconnected with a clevislike end member 476 on tlle rod 478 of a piston480 in a cylinder 482 (Figs. 4 and 11) of which the latter is pivotallyconnected at 484 with a rear extension 486 on the bar 464. The piston480 is, in the present instance, double acting, and the cylinder- 482 isto this end provided at the front and rear with fluid admission anddischarge ports 488 and 490 (Fig. l1). The cylinder 482, which ispreferably operated by compressed air, is under suitable valve control,and features dual valves 492 and 494 which are bolted to the adjacentsides of a U-shaped bracket 496' on the upright stand or bracket 296.Both valves 492 and 494 have convenient handles 496 for theirmanipulation.

The valves 492 and 494 are so connected with the cylinder 482 that bothrequire manipulation in order to achieve a stock-cutting action of theshear blades 460 and 462. Since the valves 492 and 494 may be identical,except as pointed out hereinafter, only the valve 492 will be describedin detail with particular reference to Fig. 1l. Thus, the valve 492 hasa high-pressure passage 498 and a vent passage 500, as well as a chamber502 in which la plunger 504 is sildable. The plunger 504 is, by aspring506 normally urged into the position shown in which it interceptscommunication through the high-pressure passage 498, but leaves the ventpassage 500 open. Conversely, on depressing the handle 496 against theaction of the spring 506, the plunger intercepts communication throughthe vent passage 500 and leaves the high-pressure passage 498 open.Both, the high-pressure and vent passages 498 and 500 are through aconduit 508 in communication with the port 488 in the front end of thecylinder 482. Furthermore, the high-pressure passage 498 is also incommunication with a suitable supply of compressed air through a conduit510.

The other valve 494, being like'the described valve 492, has itsprominent parts identified in Fig. 1l by the same reference numerals astheir counterparts of the valve 492, save that the suflix a is addedthereto. However, the spring 506:1 normally urges the plunger 504a intothe position shown in which the same intercepts communication throughthe vent passage 500a and leaves the high-pressure passage 498a open.

With both valves 492 in the respective normal positions shown in Fig.ll, compressed air is through the valve 494 admitted into the rear endof the cylinder 482, while the front end of the latter is vented throughthe' other valve 492, with the result that the piston 480 assumes in thecylinder 482 the forward position shown (Fig. l1) in which the shearblades 460 and 462 are open (Fig. 4). On depressing the handle 496 ofthe valve 492, compressed air will be admitted into the frontend of thecylinder 482, but the piston 480 therein will not respond since the rearend of the cylinder is still in communication with the compressed airsupply via the valve 494. The piston 480 in the cylinder 482 will onlyrespond to depression of the handle 496 of the valve 492 and bepropelled toward the rear end of the cylinder when the same is vented ondepression of the handle 496 of the other valve 494 also, as will bereadily understood. When this happens, i.e., when the piston 480 ispropelled toward the rear end of the cylinder 480, the shear blades 460and 462 will be closed for a stock cutting action (Fig. As soon as bothdepressed handles 496 of the valves 492 and 494 are released, theplungers 504 and 504a therein will be spring-urged into the positionsshown in Fig. 1l, with the result that the piston 480 in the cylinder482 will be returned to its forward position in which the shear blades460 and 462 are open.

As shown in Fig. 2A, the valves 492 and 494 are arranged on oppositesides of the shear blades 460 and 462 and are, moreover, spaced apart adistance which is greater than the expanse of a human hand. Hence,

14 in order to achieve a stock-cutting action of the shear blades 460and 462, an operator must use both hands for depressing the handles 496of both valves 492 and 494, in which case both of the operators handsare safely out of reach of the shear blades when they perform astock-cutting operation. Also, since simple depression of the valvehandles 496 by the hands of the operator results in closure of the shearblades 460 and 462, the operator may readily hold in his hands a lengthof supply stock extended between the shear blades while vat the sametime depressing the valve handles 496 for a stock cutting operation. Theshear blades 460 and 462 are preferably covered by a safety hood 497(Fig. 1) which is provided with an opening 499 for passage of a stocklength between the shear blades.

Accumulator Referring to Figs. 1 and 2B, there is shown an accumulator68 which comprises a xed roll unit520 and a dancer-roll unit 522. Thefixed roll unit 520 is composed of a number of separate rolls 524 whichare individually turnable on a spindle 526 that extends forwardly from abracket 528 which is bolted at S30 to the frame end casting 26 at theoutside thereof (see also Fig. 3).

The dancer-roll unit 522 is also composed of a number of separate ro-lls532 which are individually turnable on a shaft 534 which extendsforwardly from a rear pedestal 536 that is formed with an integral base538 which, together with the pedestal 536, forms la carriage 540. Thecarriage 540 is rollable on top of the frame bars 28C and 28dsubstantially throughout the longitudinal expanse of the main frame 22.To this end, the base 538 of the carriage 540 is provided with spacedfront rollers 542 and an intermediate rear roller 544 which rideraillike on the frame bars 28d and 28C, respectively (Figs. 2B and 4).In order to prevent derailing of the carriage 540 on the frame bars 28eand 28d, the base 538 thereof has adjacent the rollers 542 and 544downward extensions 546 and 548, respectively, whichoarry rolls 558 and552, respectively, that ride on the frame bars 28d and 28C,respectively, on the underside thereof.

Stock s from an extruder or vulcanizer, for instance, is led over theinnermost roll 524a of the fixed roll unit 520 (Fig. 3) to the innermostroll of the dancer-roll unit 522 and thence back and forth over theprogressive forward rolls of both units, with the stock emerging fromthe foremost roll of the fixed roll unit 520 in the fashion shown inFigs. l and 2B and being led over a guide roll 554 to either stock guide60A or 60B. The guide roll 554 is turnable on a stub 556 on Ian uprightbracket 558 on top of the upright stand or bracket 296 (Fig. 4). Asindicated in Figs. l and 3, the rolls 524 of the fixed roll unit 520 areslightly inclined to the rolls 532 of thev Stock tensiony control Thestock in the accumulator 63 is kept under substantially constant tensionby fluid-pressure exertion on the dancer-roll unit 522 to the effect ofurging the latter away from the fixed roll unit 520. To this end, thereis provided a cylinder 56() (Figs. 2A, 2B, 4 and 6) which is suitablymounted on a bracket 562 on the frame channel bar 30. Received in thecylinder 560 is a piston (not shown) the rod 564 of which is at itsouter end connected at 566 with a flexible cable 568 (Fig. 2A) that isanchored to a spirally-grooved drum 570 in winding relation therewith.The drum 570 is mounted on a shaft S72 which also carries anotherspirally-grooved drum 574 of larger diameter than the drum 570. Thedrum-carrying shaft 572 is journalled with its ends in suitable bearingbrackets S76 and S78 on the frame end 15 cast-ing 24. Suitably anchoredto and in winding relation with the larger-diameter drum 574 is aflexible cable 580 which extends to the carriage 540 of the'dancer-rollunit 522 and is slung about a portion thereof and anchored thereto by aclip 582 (Figs. 2A and 2B).

Fluid under pressure, and preferably compressed air, is under thecontrol of a manually operable pressure-regulatable bleeder-type valve(not shown) admitted to the lett-hand end of the cylinder 560 (Fig. 2A)while the right-hand end of the cylinder is permanently vented. Hence,the piston in the cylinder 560 is constantly urged to the right asviewed in Fig. 2A, with the result that the smaller-diameter drum S70 isnormally urged in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2A) throughintermediation ot the piston rod 564 and cable 568. The counterclockwiseurge of the drum 570 is through the shaft 57.?. transmitted to thelarger-diameter drum 574, with the result that the dancer-roll unit 522on its carriage 546 is, through intermediation of the cable 580, urgedto the left as viewed in Fig. 2B, i.e., away from the fixed roll unit520, and thus induces tension' in the stock in the accumulator. Thebeforementioned manually regulatable bleedertype valve functions tomaintain the air pressure in the cylinder 569 at any preset value, thevalve bleeding air from the cylinder when the accumulator pays out morestock than it receives per time unit and the dancer-roll unit 522 moves,in consequence, to the right as viewed in Fig. 2B, and admitting air atthe preset pressure into the cylinder 560 when the accumulator stores upstock and the dancer-roll unit S22 moves, in consequence, to the left asviewed in Fig. 2B.

By virtue of the smaller and larger diameters of the cable drums 570 and574, which are operatively connected with the piston in the cylinder566V and with the carriage S40 of the dancer-roll unit, respectively,the latter may yield substantially throughout the longitudinal expanseof the main frame 22 of the apparatus, yet the cylinder 560 and thestroke of the piston therein need be f a length which is but a fractionoi the overall travel range of the dancer-roll unit. This is quiteadvantageous, since it permits ready mounting of the relatively shortcylinder S60 and Operation of the piston therein with its rod 564conveniently within the longitudinal expanse of the main frame 22.

Drive controls Among these controls are those for fthe described reeland spindle drives, as well as for the aforementioned motor-drivenslip-type electromagnetic clutch at which the reel and spindle drivesoriginate.

The controls of the reel drives SSA and 58B Vbeing alike in thisinstance, only one of these controls, namely, that of the reel drive58A, will be described in detail with particular reference to the wiringdiagram of Fig. l2. Thus, the controls of the reel drive 58A include theaforementioned clutch and brake coils 214 and 274 for the describedmagnetic clutch 200 and magnetic brake 260 (Fig. 5). As shown in Fig.12, the clutch coil 214 is connected, by a lead 590 and an interposednormally-open switch 592, across a DC. line 594 from a rectifier 596which is supplied with A.C. current from a suitable supply line 598. Thebrake coil 274 is connected across the DC. line S94 by a lead 606 andnori mally-closed interposed switches 602 and 604 of which switch 6112is `ganged with switch 592. Switches 592 and 602 are further ganged witha normally-open main control switch 666 asrindicated by dotted lines 641and 643 so as to be open and closed, respectively, when the latterswitch is in its illustrated normally-open position. The main switch 666is connected across the A.C. line 59? via a lead 608, a lead 610 with aninterposed relay 611, a normally-closed switch 612, a lead 614 and alead 616 with interposed normally-closed stop switches 61S and 6213.Closure of the main switch 666 is achieved on energization of the relay611. -To this end, there is keo provided a starting circuit for therelayl 611, including a lead. 624 with an interposed normallyfopen startswitch 626, and the previously described leads 610, 614 and` 616 withthe interposed switches 612, 618 and 620. Hence, on momentary closure ofthe start switch 626, the aforementioned starting circuit ot the relay611 will momentarily be closed, with the result that the latter willclose the main switch 606. The relay 611 will thereuponV remainenergized since it is in series connection with the main switch 606 and,hence, will keep the latter closed until its circuit is opened onmomentarily opening either one of the stop switches 618 or 620, and mostlikely the stop switch 618 since the same may be arranged on the leftside of the winding apparatus near the reel drive 58A and within easyreach of an operator standing there in order best to observe and controla winding operation on a reel in the left'stand 52A, whereas the otherstop switch 620 may be arranged on the right side of the apparatus formanipulation by the operator when standing therefor best observation andcontrol ot a winding operation on a reel in the right stand 52B. Itfollows from the preceding that wln'le the main switch 606 is in itsnormally-open position, the electromagnetic clutch 200 in reel drive 58A(Fig. 5) is disengaged, while the brake mechanism 260 is operative andlocks a reel on the stand 52A against rotation, this by virtue of thethen open and closed conditions of the switches 592 and 602 for theclutch and brake coils 214 and 274, respectively (Fig. 12). However, onmomentarily closing the start switch 626, the main switch 606 will beclosed, and will remain closed, with the result that the switches 592and 602 will be closed and opened, respectively, and the electromagneticclutch 200 engaged and the brake mechanism 260 rendered inoperative, inconsequence, so that the reel drive 58A lis then operative to drive thereel R on the stand 52A. At the end of a winding operation, the operatorneed merely momentarily open either of the stop switches 613 or 620, inthis case the switch 618, in order to open the main switch 606 and,hence, cause disengagement of the clutch 200 in the reel drive andalmost simultaneous application of the brake mechanism 260 for quickstoppage of the fully wound reel R with its considerable inertia.logging of the reel drive 58A in its inoperative condition is 'alsopossible. To this end, a lead 630, connected in 'series with the clutchcoil 214, has interposed open contacts 632, which on manual opening ofthe jog switch 604 are bridged by the movable member of the latter forenergization of the clutch coil 214 as long as the jog switch is keptopen, and the brake coil 274 is deenergized in consequence. The controlsof the other reel drive 58B are and pervform like those of the reeldrive 58A and are to some extent in'terrelated." For convenience,prominent parts of the control-s of the reel drive 58B are in Fig. 12identitied by thesarne reference numerals as their counterparts ,of thecontrols of the reel drive 52A, save that the suflix is added thereto.

It will be noted in Fig. l2 that the main switch 606 `is ganged with theswitch 612', so that the latter is opened when, on closure of the startswitch 626, the main switch 606 is closed and the reel drive 53Arendered operative, with the result that the other reel drive 58B willremain inoperative even if the start switch 626' should accidentally beclosed while the reel drive 58A is operative, as will be readilyunderstood. Conversely, the main switch 606 is ganged with the switch612 so that the reel drive 58A willremain inoperative even if the startswitch 626 should accidentally be closed while the reel drive 58B isoperative. Hence, the reel drives 58A and 53B are operative only one ata time.

The `controls of the spindle drives 62A and 62B being alikein thisinstance, only one/of these controls, namely, thatof the spindle drive62A will be described in detail. Thus, the controls of the spindle drive62A include the described exciting coils 426 and 428 of theyelectromagnetic clutches 392 and 394, for right-hand and left-handmotion, respectively, of theassociated stock guide 60A (Fig. 2A). Asshown in Fig. 12, the coil 428 of the clutch 394 is connected across theD.C. line 594 via a lead 636 with interposed switches 638 and 640 ofwhich switch 638 is a normally-closed interrupter switch. The coil 426ofthe clutch 392 is connected in series with the interrupter switch 638,and in parallel with switch 640 and coil 428 via a lead 642 Withinterposed `switches 644 and 646,-of whichswitch 644 is ganged withswitch 640 soasto be open and closed when the latter is closed and open,respectively, and vice versa. The other or control switch 646 is gangedwith the main switch 606 as indicated by the dotted line 643, so as tobe open and closed with the latter switch.

The ganged switches 640 and 644, appropriately named direction switches,are releasably latched in either of their positions by 'a spring-urgedplunger 648 andan indented member650 which is movable with the gangedmovable members ofthese switches relative to the plunger 648. Relays 652and v654 areadapted, on energization, to act on the switches 644 and640, respectively, to close them. Of course, since these switches areganged, as explained, they may be closed only alternately. The relays652 andi 654 are through a lead 656 connected with one side'of the A C.line 598, and are alternately connectible with the other side of theA.C. line by a reversinglf switch 658 and a lead 660, of which theformer has'lcontacts'662 and 664 connected with the relays652"and 654,respectively, and a conductor blade 666 connected with the lead 660 andshiftable into engagement with either contact 662 or 664, but normallyurged into jthe neutral dotted-line position between these contacts. Thereversing switch 658 is carried on top of the block' 286 of the stockguide 60A (Fig. 2A) and its blade 666 is adaptedto be shifted into thefull-line and dot-and-dash-line positions shown in Fig. 12 on movementof the stock guide to the left and right (Fig. 2A) into left and rightend positions, respectively,in which the samerisjin winding relationwith the reel R in the stand 52Aiat the left and right end discsthereof, respectively. It is when the stock guide 60A moves into itsdened left and right end positions that the blade 666 of the reversingswitch 658 is momentarily shifted from itsv neutral position into thefull-line and dot-and-dashline positions, respectively, in Fig. 12 onits engagement with limitstops 668 and 670, respectively, on a bar 672(Fig. 2A) which extends between, and is with its ends suitably mountedon, the opposite frameend castings 24 and 26. Thus, the limitstops 668and 670 determine the end positions of the stock guide 60A, and theformer are adjustable? on the bar 672 by means of clamping screws 674and 676, -respectivelypthereby to permit adjustment ofthe operatingrange of the stock guide 60A to a reel of any width in the stand 52A.

Since the control switch 646 is ganged with the main switch 606'andopens and closes with the latter, as explained, 'it follows that `thecontrol switch 646 will be closed when 'the main switch 606 is, onmomentary closing of the start switch 626, closed and remains closed foroperation of the associated reel drive 58A until the stop switch 618 ismomentarily opened, as explained. Hence, as`soon as the main switch 606is closed in this fashion, and with the stock guide 60A in its definedleft end position as a starting position in which the blade 666 of thereversing switch 658 is held in its full-line position (Fig. 12) by thelimit stop 668 (Fig. 2A) and the direction switch 644 has been closed bythe then energized relay 652 and remains latched in its closed position,the spindle drive 62A becomes operative through energization of theclutch coil 426 and ensuing engagement of the electromagnetic clutch 392(Fig. 2A) for resulting drive of the operating. spindle 294A in a direc-18 t tion to n'love'the stock guide 60A from its ystarting position tothe right as viewed in Fig. 2A, as explained. VAs soon as the stockguide 60A leaves its starting position, the blade 666 of the reversingswitch 658y thereon will shift to its neutral dotted-line position (Fig.12;) andthus cause deenergization of the relay 652, but the directionswitch 644 will remain closed since it is then latched in this position,with the result that the clutch coil 426 will remain energized and thestock guide 60A will continue its travelto the right. In thus travelingto the right, the stock guide will reach its defined right end positionin which the limit stop 670 (Fig. 2A) willl be'en-, gaged by the blade666 of the reversing switch 658 `and shift the same to itsdot-and-dash-lineV position (Fig. 12) resulting in energization of relay654 and ensuing closure of the other direction switch 640 with resultingopening of the ganged direction switch 644. Closure of the direc-' tionswitch 640 causes energization of the coil 428 of the otherelectromagnetic clutch 394 (Fig. 2A) and ensuing drive of the operatingspindle 294A for movement of the stock guide 60A to the left as viewedin Fig. 2A, as explained. Of course, the blade 666 of the reversingswitch 658 will return from its dot-and-dash-line position into itsneutral dotted-line position immediately on movement of the stock guide60A from its right end position to the left thereof (Fig. 2A), but theswitch 640 will, despite the ensuing deenergization of the relay 654,remain closed due to its being then latched in closed position, with theresult that the stock guide 60A will continue its travel to the leftuntilit reaches its left-end or starting position where, due to theensuing shift of the blade 666 of the reversing switch 658 into thefull-line position (Fig. 12) by the limit stop 668 (Fig. 2A), it willreverse its travel and move again to the right, as will be readilyunderstood. The stock guide 60A thus travels continuously back and forthbetween its left and right end positions while the main rswitch 606remains closed and the associated reel drive 58A is operative.

As previously explained, momentary opening of either stop switch618 or620, in this c-ase stop switch 618, will result in opening of the mainswitch 606 and, hence, also of the control switch 646. While opening ofthe main switch 606 in this fashion will render the associated reeldrive 58A immediately inoperative and cause the reel R' in the stand 52Ato come to an almost immediate stop, -as previously explained,provisions to be presently described will, despite the opening of thecontrol switch 646, activate the spindle drive 62A for motion of thestock guide 60A to its left-end or starting position in any event,unless the stock guide should happen to be in the latter position at themoment the control switch 646 is opened. To this end, there is provideda return circuit for the relay 654 which, besides the lead 656, includesa lead 680, a switch 682, a lead 684, a switch 686 and leads '688 and690. The switch 682 is ganged with the other main switch 606' of thecontrols for the reel and spindle drives 58B and 62B, respectively, andis open and closed when the main switch 606 is closed and open,respectively. The switch 686 is ganged with the stop switch 618 and isopen when the latter is in its normally-closed position. Since the mainswitch 606 remained open during the described operation of the controlsof the reel and spindle drivesStlAA and 62A, switch 682 will be closed,as shown, when the main switch 606 is opened on momentary opening of thestop switch 618. Momentary opening of the stop switch 618 causesmomentary closure of the lganged switch 686 and, hence, momentaryclosure of the described return circuit of .the relay 654 and momentaryenergization of the latter with a resulting shift ,of ,the

direction switch 640 into-latched closing positionandl energization ofthe clutch coil 428 for return movement of the stock guide 60A to itsleft-endorstarting position. Thus, the described return circuit of therelay 654`l will cause immediate reversal of the stock guide 60A it thesame travels to the right as viewed in Fig. 2A at the time the mainswitch 606 is opened, and the stock guide will continue to travel to theleft until it reaches its starting position when the blade 666 is by thelimit stop 668 again shifted to its full-line position for energizationof the other relay 652 and ensuing closure of the other direction switch644 which will then remain latched in its closed position. However, thestock guide 60A will now fail to respond to the closing of the directionswitch 644 and will, instead, remain in its starting position due to theearlier opening of the control switch 646. The stock guide `60A willthus remain in its starting position until the start switch 626 is againclosed for a winding operation on a reel in the stand 52A, at which timethe clutch coil 426 will be energized immediately on closure of the mainswitch `606, the direction switch 644 being then latched in its closedposition, as shown, so that the stock guide will start its motion fromstarting position to the right thereof, as will be readily understood.Of course, if the stock guide 60A should at the time of opening of themain switch 606 in consequence of momentary opening of the stop switch618, travel from its right end position to the left thereof toward itsstarting position, the then closed direction switch 646' is alreadylatched in closed position when the described return circuit of therelay 654 is closed on momentary opening of the stop switch '618, sothat the stock guide will continue its left-hand travel into startingposition and then stop in the latter position, as will be readilyunderstood.

Since the controls of the spindle drive 62B are like those of thespindle drive 62A, as mentioned before, prominent parts of the controlsof the spindle drive 62B are in Fig. 12 identified by the same referencenumerals as their counterparts of the controls of the spindle drive 62A,except that the suiiix is added thereto. The controls of the spindledrive 62B are, however, so arranged that the stock guide 60B is in itsystarting position at the right end of its travel range as shown in Fig.2B. The stock guide 60B carries the reversing switch 658' and its blade666' is shifted into the full-line and dotand-dash-line positions (Fig.l2) by adjustable limit stops 668 and 670', respectively, on the bar 672in the right and left end positions, respectively, of the guide 60B.Furthermore, the switch 682' in the return circuit of the relay 654' isganged with the main switch 606 as indicated by the dotted line 64S soas to be open and closed when the latter switch is closed and open,respectively. Also, the return circuit of the relay 654 may include, inllieu of the switch 636 and lead 688, a switch 692 and lead 690, ofwhich switch `692 is ganged with the other stop switch 620 and open andclosed when the latter is closed and open, respectively, as shown inFig. 12.

Mode of operation Assuming that the reel R has been placed in the stand52A and the inserted spindle unit 54A drivingly connected with thecoupling pin 246 of the reel drive 58A and the stand 52A thereuponshifted by the Voperating device 56A, under the operators control, intoits winding position, the operator will then anchor the leading end ofthe supply stock s from the accumulator 68 to ythe reel R', convenientlyby inserting a short length of the stock into a hole in the left enddisc of the reel, and also lay the stock from the accumulator over theguide 60A which then is in its described left-end or starting position,rather than in its momentary right end wind ing position shown in Fig.2A. With the leading end of the supply stock thus anchored to the reel Rand also placed over the guide 60A, the operator may start a windingoperation on the reel R on momentarily closing the start switch 626(Fig. 12) which results in immediate operation of the reel drive SSA andspindle drive 62A beginning with motion of the stock guide 60A to theright (Fig. 2A) for winding the rst layer of stock in orderlyside-by-side turns on the reel. As the stock guide 60A reaches its rightend position (Figs. l and 2A) its motion is immediately reversed and itwill travel to the left toward its starting position, only to bereversed again on reaching the latter position, as previously explained.The stock guide 60A will thus travel back and forth between its endpositions and wind layer upon layer of stock on the driven reel. Whenthe reel R' is fully wound, as for example by signal indication from astock-measuring device (not shown), the operator will momentarily openthe nearest stop switch 618, thereby immediately rendering the reeldrive 58A inoperative and, through brake action in the latter, bringingthe spinning reel R with its considerable inertia to an almost immediatestop, as explained, as well as rendering the spindie drive 62Ainoperative, but not until the stock guide 60A has been returned to itsleft-end starting position, also as previously explained.

While the described winding operation on the reel R' takes place, theoperator causes the other reel stand 52B to swing into the loweredexchange position shown in Fig. l, and thereupon removes a fully-Woundreel therefrom. After removing from the full reel the inserted spindleunit 54B, the latter is inserted in or assembled with an empty reel R onthe Hoor, all as previously explained, whereupon the new reel with theassembled spindle unit 54B is placed in the stand 52B and the lattershifted to its winding position (Fig. 2B) in readiness for the nextwinding operation. The task of thus exchanging reels on the stand 52Brequires comparatively little time, and in any event much less time thanthe winding operation performed on the reel R in the stand 52A,wherefore the operator is well capable of observing or inspecting mostof the winding operation on the reel R (Fig. 1).

On bringing the winding operation on the reel R' to an end, by momentaryopening of the stop switch 618 somewhere near the left end of thewinding apparatus (Figs. l and 2) within easy reach of the observingoperator, the latter will quickly remove the supply stock from the guide60A which is then in its left-end starting position, draw some stockfrom the accumulator 68 and insert a length thereof between the discs444 and 446 of the stock anchor means 64 which will automatically gripthe stock as soon as the same is, on its release by the operator,subjected to a rear pull from the accumulator, as previously described.The operator thereupon severs the stock between the anchor means 64 andthe fully-wound reel R', by grasping a length thereof near the latterwith his hands and holding this stock length between the open shearblades 460 and 462 of the stocksevering means 66, and at the same timedepressing the spaced valve handles 496 with his hands for closure ofthe shear blades and severance of the stock (Fig. l0), as previouslyexplained. The severed end of the supply stock, after first being ledover the stock guide 60B which is then in its right-end startingposition (Fig. 2B), is anchored to the empty reel R in the stand 52B inits winding position, whereupon the stock is released from the anchormeans 64. The reel R is now ready for a winding operation, and theoperator starts the same by momentarily closing the start switch 626somewhere near the right end of the apparatus where the operator willstand for best observation of the ensuing winding operation on the reelR". The winding operation on the reel R" is exactly like the describedwinding operation on the reel R', the stock guide 60B starting from itsright end position (Fig. 2B), however, and moving back and forth betweenits end positions to wind successive layers of orderly side-by-sidestock turns onto the reel R". When the reel R is fully wound, theoperator will momentarily open the nearest stop switch 620, whereuponthe reel drive 58B and the reel R" driven thereby will come to an almostimmediate stop, and the associated spindle drive 62B will be interruptedas soon as the stoel:

y21 guide 60B has returned to its right-end starting position. While thewinding operation on the reel R" in the stand 52B proceeds, the operatorwill quickly unload the full reel R from the stand 52A and place anempty reel thereon, all as previously described. Successive reels arethus wound with stock alternately in the stands 52A and 52B whilefully-wound reels are replaced by empty reels in the stands betweenwinding operations on reels therein, the accumulator storing the slackof the continuously delivered stock between reel-winding operations, andpaying out this stock slack during winding operations.

In adapting the winding apparatus to reels of different diameters, itwill be necessary to select the appropriate output speed stage of thechange-speed gearing 177 (Fig. 2A), and also make proper adjustments ofthe variable-speed drive units 340 and 340b of the spindle drives 62Aand 62B, respectively. The fine adjustments of these variable-speeddrive units 340 and 340b are preferably undertaken while reels of thenew diameters are wound for the first time. Until tine adjustment ofeither ofthese drive units 340 and 340b is achieved, the associated.guide 60A or 60B will fail to lead stock onto the associated driven reelin the required orderly side-byside lay formation. By the time either ofthese drive units 'is finely adjusted so that the traverse speed of theassociated stock guide is such as to lead stock onto the associateddriven reel in orderly side-by-side lays or turns, the stock guide isusually out of alignment with stock turns being wound on the reel. Inorder to bring either stock guide 60A or 60B into proper alignment withthe orderly stock turns being wound on the associated driven reel, theoperator need merely open the associated interrupter switch 638 or 638(Fig. 12) in order to interrupt the respective spindle drive 62A or 62Bat the respective electromagnetic clutches 392, 394 or 392b, 394bthereof, and manually drive the associated operating spindle 294A or294B, by means of the proper handwheel 440 or 440b, in the properdirection until the stockl guide is aligned with the orderlyside-by-side turns being wound on the associated driven reel. Once suchalignment of the stock guide with the stock turns being wound on thereel is achieved, the operator need merely release the respectiveinterrupter switch 638 or 638 which will then return to itsnormally-closed position and restore the respective spindle drive 62A or62B, as willv be readily understood.

The aforementioned electromagnetic slip-type clutch, which is driven bythe main motor, has the usual driving and driven members which areseparated by a fixed air gap, and which are drivingly coupled bymagnetic ux. To this end, one of the clutch members carries a couplingcoil which, on applying excitation thereto, produces a magnetic fieldwhich couples the members. Direct current is used for excitation of thiscoupling coil, and the coil current establishes the strength of themagnetic field and, consequently, determines the amount of torquetransmitted 4at any denite rate of slip between the clutch members.

An" electronic control is used for regulating the current through thecoupling coil, including means whereby the speed of the output or drivenclutch member with its output shaft 172 (Fig. 2A) remains at a set valuedespite variations of the load thereon. This electronic control, whichis fully disclosed in a bulletin ECI of February 1956 by theaforementioned Dynamatic Division of the Eaton Manufacturing Company,includes an electronic tube which converts current from an A.C. powersupply. The voltage on the grid of this tube at any given instant is thesum of so-called rider-wave and governor voltages, as well as of areference voltage. Speed selection and speed maintenance of the clutchdrive is a function of these voltages. In particular, the speedselection is a function of the reference voltage. The reference voltageportion of the electronic control circuit,

shown in Fig. 13, `is ythat part thereof which is'requiredV for` properfunctioning of a speed-setting'potentiometer 700. The A.C. power supplyoriginates at the winding 702 of a transformer 704, and this powersupply is rectifled to D.C. by the tube 706. A condenser 708 acts as areservoir, taking in current on the positive cycleand releasing it tothe circuit during the oi cycle, with the result that a smoothcontinuous flow of directicurrent is supplied to the circuit.. Thefunction of this circuit is to increase and decrease the output speed ofthe sliptype clutch when the movable arm 710 of ythe potenti-l ometer700 is turned counterclockwise andy clockwise, respectively, as viewedin Fig. 13.

Heretofore, it has been customary in winding apparatus of this type toplace the speed-setting potentiometer under the control of thedancer-roll unit of the accumula: tor throughout the stock-storing andstock pay-out motions of this unit, to the effect of gradually slowingdown the output speed of the prime mover rof the apparatus from themoment the dancer-roll unit begins its stock pay-out motion until itfinishes the latter, and gradually to increase its output speedfrom themoment the dancerroll units begins its stock-storing motion until itfinishes the latter. With this prior arrangement, it does happen thatthe accumulator fails to take up all wire slack 0ccurring on occasionalpremature stoppage ofthe apparatus when it becomes necessary to transferthe supply stock to be Wound from a partially wound, or even almostempty, reel to the adjacent empty reel for any reason"v whatever, suchas defective wire on the partially wound reel, for instance. In order toprevent this and, instead, compel each new reel to take up most of thestock slack, stored in the accumulator between successive reel-windingoperations of the apparatus, as quickly as possible, provisions are madeto permit each reel drive 58 to operate at maximum speed until most ofthe stored stock slack in the accumulator is taken up, or at any ratesufficient stock slack is taken up to permit the accumulator toistorethe stock slack occurring if stock transfer from a partially wound reelto an adjacent empty reel is necessitated. To this end, thespeed-setting potentiometer 700 is under the control of the dancer-rollunit 522 during a relatively short length only of the overall travelrange of the latter.

The potentiometer 700 is, in the present instance, mounted in back of abracket 712 on the frame channelbar 30 (Figs. 2A, 4 and 6). The arm 710of the poten` tiometer 700 is carried by a shaft 714 which also carriesa sprocket 716 over which is passed a chain 718 that is connected at oneend with a bar 720 which is slidable in spaced brackets 722 and 724 ontop-of the frame channelbar 30. The bar 720 is, by a weight 726 on thechain 718 (Figs. 2A and 4), normally urged into the end position shownin Fig. 6 in which an end collar 728 on the bar rests against the'adjacent bracket 722. The chain 718 .is conveniently passed through afixed tube 730 so as to have no appreciable freedom to swing andpossibly interfere with the winding performance of the apparatus. Thebar 720 carries a collar 732 which is adapted to be engaged by arearwardly projecting rod 734 on the carriage 540 of the dancer-rollunit 522 during the latter part of its stock pay-out travel towardthexed roll unit 520, so that the bar 720 is during this latter partofthe stock pay-out travel of the dancer-roll unit moved to the right fromthe position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 2B, with the resultthat the arm 710 of the potentiometer is turned from' its full-linehigh-speed position into its dotted-line low-speed position (Fig. 13).Hence, on 'winding each new reel, the output speed of the slip-typeelectromagnetic clutch and, hence, the speed of the operative reel drive58, are at a maximum, and are not reduced, until the dancer-roll .unit522 has passed through the greater part of its stock pay-out travel, andtheir speeds are gradually 'reduced only during travel of the dancerrollunit through the relatively small remainder of its overall travel rangein stock pay-out direction, with the resultthat most ofthe stored stockslack in the accumulator is payed-out to each new reel being woundshortly after the winding operation is started. `Of course, as thedancerroll unit 522 moves away from the xed roll unit S in stock-storingdirection, the bar 720 will, under the urgency of the weight 726, returnto its normal end position (Fig. 6) and, hence, return the arm 710 ofthe potentiometer 700 to its full-line high-speed position (Fig. 13).Preferably, the collar 732 is adjustable on the bar 720 so that thepotentiometer-operating range of the dancer-roll unit 522 may beadjusted within its overall travel range.

lf the operator should fail to stop an operative reel drive 58 in time,the driven reel may well draw stock from the accumulator until the rolls532 of the dancer unit 522 could clash with the rolls 524 of the xedunit 520 with ensuing damage to either rolls. To prevent this, there isprovided a yielding stop pin 740 in a bracket 742 on the frame endcasting 26 (Figs. 2A and 6). The pin 740 is urged forwardly by a spring'744 and is about to be engaged by the carriage 540 of the dancer-rollunit 522 when the latter reaches the safe-stop position shown in Fig. 2Bin which its rolls 532 are still safely away from those of the fixedroll unit 520. However, on slight further movement of the dancer-rollunit 522 beyond the safe-stop position in Fig. 2B to the right thereof,its carriage will engage and shift the stop pin 740 rearwardly againstthe action of the spring 744, with the result that a collar 746 on thestop pin will actuate a switch 743 to open the circuit of the main motorof the apparatus, for example.

The present winding apparatus has additional positive stop provisionsfor the dancer-roll unit 522 to prevent a possibly damaging clashbetween its rolls 532 and those of the fixed roll unit S20, if thedancer-roll unit should have sufficient inertia to move beyond theaforementioned safe-stop position (Fig. 2B), as where the operator failsto stop the apparatus in time in the course of a reelwinding operationand the speeds of the reel and spindle drives are grossly maladjustedabove the magnitude required for a particular diameter of a reel beingwound,

or when during a stop of the apparatus the described cylinder 560 forthe tension control of the stock in the accumulator is renderedinoperative, as by venting its active side, and the dancer-roll unit 522thereupon moved by the operator rapidly toward the xed roll unit 526 forfacile recharging of the accumulator with a new supply of continuousstock after a previous supply has been fully wound on reels. To thisend, the spindle 526, on which the rolls 524 of the xed unit 520 areturnable, carries at its forward end a stop arm 750 which in thesafe-stop position of the dancer-roll unit 522 (Fig. 2B) extends intoclose proximity to a collar 752 on the forward end of the shaft S34 onwhich the dancer rolls S32 are turnable. Fixed to the spindle 526 at itsrear end is another stop arm 754 (see also Fig. 3) which in thesafe-stop position of the dancer-roll unit 522 extends into closeproximity to the shaft-supporting top end of the pedestal 536 of thedancer-roll carriage 540 (Fig. 2B). In order to permit ready rechargingof the rolls of the accumulator with stock from a new supply, the frontstop arm 756 is pivoted on the front end of the spindle S26 so as to beswingable out of the way. In order to lock the stop arm 750 in its stopposition (-Fig. 2B), the same is provided with another arm 756 which atits free end is clamped to a plate 758 on the frame bar 28d by aclamping screw which for convenient manipulation is provided with ahandle 760 (see also Fig. 3). The arm 756 is provided with a lateralnotch 762 through which the clamping screw extends when the stop arm 750is in its stop position. In order releasably to lock the stop arm 756'even more firmly in its stop position, the same carries a threaded studwith a handle 764 of which the former may, on manipulation by thelatter, be projected into or retracted from a Ahole in the spindle 526when the other arm 756 is in the position shown in Fig. 2B in which thesame is quickly positioned on being turned until its 24 notch 762receives the clamping screw with the handle 760.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than thoseherein set forth without departing from the spirit and essentialcharacteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalencyrange of the appended claims are intended to be ernbraced therein.

What is claimed is:

l. In apparatus for winding a reel having axial journals, thecombination with a frame and a guide thereon operative to lead stockonto a reel, of a stand pivoted at the -bottom to said frame and formedat the top with partial bearings open for lateral passage thereinto andremoval therefrom of the journals of a reel; means carried by said`frame for swinging said stand into reel- 'winding and reel-exchangepositions in which said bearings are raised and lowered for rotatablysupporting therein the journals of a reel in wind-on relation with saidguide and for exchanging therein the journals of reels on rolling thelatter on the flour, respectively; and a reel drive including a primemover on said` frame, a driven element turnable about the pivot axis ofsaid stand, and a driven coupling member on said stand permanentlydrivingly connected with said element and being disposed in axialalignment, and operable into and from interlocking driving relation,with one of the journals of a supported rcel on said stand.

2. In apparatus for `winding a reel having axial journals of which oneis formed as an element of a slidertype coupling', the combination witha frame and a guide thereon operative to lead stock onto a reel, of astand pivoted at the bottom to said frame and formed at the top withpartial bearings open for lateral passage thereinto and removaltherefrom of the journals of a reel; means carried by said frame forswinging said stand into reel-winding and reel-exchange positions inwhich said bearings are raised and lowered for rotatably supportingtherein the journals of a reel in wind-on relation with said guide andfor exchanging therein the journals of reels on rolling the latter onthe door, respectively; and a reel drive including a prime mover on saidframe, a driven member turnable about the pivot axis of said stand, anda driven element of a slider-type coupling axially slidable in saidstand into and from driving engagement with the coupling element of asupported reel on the stand and permanently drivingly connected withsaid member.

3. In apparatus for winding a reel having axial journals of which one isformed as Ian element of a slidertype coupling, the combination with aframe and a guide thereon operative to lead stock onto a reel, of astand pivoted at the bottom to said frame and formed at the top withpartial bearings open for lateral passage thereinto and removaltherefrom of the journals of -a reel; means carried by said frame forswinging said stand into reel-winding and reel-exchange positions inwhich said bearings are raised and lowered for rotatably supportingtherein the journals of a reel in wind-on relation with said guide andfor exchanging therein the journals of reels on rolling the latter onthe oor, respectively; and a reel drive including a prime mover on saidstand, a drivenmember turnable about the pivot axis of said stand, adriven sleeve journalled in said stand in axial alignment with thejournals of a reel on said stand and permanently drivingly connectedwith said member', and another element of a slider-type coupling splinedto said sleeve and axially movable therein into first and secondpositions in which the same is drivingly engaged Iwith and retractedfrom the coupling element, respectively, of a supported reel on thestand.

4. The combination in rcel-winding apparatus as set forth in claim 3, inwhich said other coupling element has a peripheral indentation, andthere is further provided 25 a spring-urged locking plunger in saidsleeve registering with said indentation in said first position of saidother coupling element and cammed from said indentation on moving saidother coupling member from said first position.

5. In reel-winding apparat-us, the combination with a reel stand forremovably supporting a rot-ary reel, and a stock guide operative to leadstock in orderly lays on a supported reel when driven, of a power drivefor a supported reel `on said stand, including an electromagnetic clutchhaving normally disengaged companion driving and driven members andfirst coil means adapted, when energized, to cause engagement of saidmembers; a fixed brake element; second coil means adapted, whenenergized, to cause engagement of said driven clutch member with saidbrake element; and control means for said power drive and brake element,including first and second circuits for said first and second coilmeans, respectively, first and second ganged switches in said first andsecond circuits, respectively, in series with the respective coil meanstherein and normally in open and closed positions, respectively, a relayadapted, when energized, to shift said first and second switches intoclosed and open positions, respectively, a third circuit for said relay,and manual means for closing and opening said third circuit.

6. In reel-winding apparatus, the combination with a reel stand forremovably supporting a rotary reel, a drive for a supported reel on saidstand, a stock guide movable, between first and second positions inwhich it is in winding relation `with the opposite ends, respectively,of the axial wind-on range of a driven reel on said stand, for leadingstock in orderly lays onto the reel, and guideoperating means comprisinga rotary spindle in threaded engagement with said guide, and first andsecond normally inoperative spindle drives adapted, when operative, toturn said spindle in opposite directions in which to move said guideinto said first and second positions, respectively, of first electricalcontrol means, including a start switch and a stop switch normally inone position and shiftable into another position, said control meansbeing operative, on actuating said start switch, to render said firstand second spindle drives alternately operative in said second and firstpositions, respectively, of said guide for movement of the latterbetween said positions, said control means being further operative, onshifting said stop -switch into ksaid other position, to render eitherspindle drive inoperative, and further electrical control meansoperative, on shifting said stop switch into said other position, torender said first spindle drive operative for the return of said guideinto said first position.

7. The combination in reel-winding apparatus as set forth in claim 6, inwhich said reel drive includes a normally disengaged clutch, and saidfirst control means further includes an electrical device adapted, whenenergized, to cause engagement of said clutch, said electrical devicebeing energized and deenergized on actuating said start switch and onshifting said stop switch into said other position, respectively.

8. The combination in reel-winding apparatus as set forth in claim 6,which further provides a fixed brake element, said reel drive includes aclutch having normally disengaged driving and driven members, and saidfirst control means further includes first and second electrical devicesadapted, when energized, to cause engagement between said clutch membersand between said driven member and brake element, respectively, saidfirst electrical device being energized and deenergized on actuatingsaid start switch and on shifting said stop switch into said otherposition, respectively, and-said second electrical device beingenergized and deenergized on shifting said stop switch into said otherposi-tion and on actuating said start switch, respectively.

9. In reel-winding apparatus, the combination with a reel stand forremovably supporting a rotary reel, a power drive for a supported reelon said stand, a stockguide reciprocable axially of, and adapted to leadstock in orderly lays onto, a driven reel on said Stand, andvguideoperating means comprising a rotary spindle in threaded engagementwith said guide, and first and second poweroperated spindle drives,including first and second normally disengaged clutches, respectively,for turning said spindle, on engagement of said first and secondclutches, Ifor movement of said guide in first and second oppositedirections, respectively, of control means comprising first and secondelectrical devices adapted, when energized, to cause engagement of saidfirst and second clutches, respectively, a first circuit, including afirst switch, for energizing said first device on closure of saidswitch, a second circuit, including second and third switches in series,Ifor energizing said second device on closure of said second and thirdswitches, said first and second switches being ganged so as to be inopen and closed positions, respectively, and vice versa, and both beingreleasably latched in either position, first and second relays adapted,when energized, to close said first and second switches, respectively,means including a fourth normallyopen switch carried by said guide andshiftable into first and second positions for energizing said first andsecond relays, respectively, limit stops engaged by and shifting saidfourth switch into said rst and second positions on movement of saidguide in said second and first directions, respectively, into second andfirst positions, respectively, in which it is in winding relation with adriven reel on said stan-d at the opposite ends, respectively, of itsaxial wind-on range, so that said guide reciprocates between 4saidpositions when said third switch is closed, a normally-open main switchganged with said third switch so that the latter is open and closed withthe former, a main circuit, including said main switch and anormally-closed stop switch, and being closed on closure of said mainswitch, a third relay connected in said main circuit in series with saidmain switch and adapted, when energized, to close the latter, a startingcircuit for said third relay, including a normally-open start switchadapted, on closure, to close said starting circuit, and a thirdcircuit, including said first relay and a fifth switch adapated, whenclosed, to close said third circuit, said fifth switch being ganged withsaid stop switch so as to be open and closed when the latter is closedand open, respectively, whereby said guide is automatically returned tosaid first position on opening said stop switch.

10. The combination in reel-winding apparatus as set forth in claim 9,in which said reel drive includes a third normally disengaged clutchadapted, when engaged, to render said reel drive operative, and controlmeans therefor comprising a third electrical device adapted, whenenergized, to engage said third clutch, and a fourth circuit, includingsad third device and a sixth switch adapted, when closed, to close saidforth circuit, said sixth switch being ganged with said main switch soas to be open and closed with the latter, whereby said reel drive isrendered operative and inoperative on closing said start switch andopening said stop switch, respectively.

11. The combination in reel-winding apparatus as set yforth in claim 9,in which said reel drive includes a third clutch having normallydisengaged driving and driven members adapted, when engaged, to rendersaid reel drive operative, and there are further provided a fixed brakeelement, and control means comprising third and fourth electricaldevices adapted, when energized, to cause engagement between said clutchmembers and between said driven member and brake element, respectively,a fourth circuit, including said third device and a sixth switchadapted, when closed, to close said fourth circuit, said sixth switchbeing ganged with said main switch so as to be open and closed with thelatter, whereby said reel drive is rendered operative and inoperative onclosing said start switch and opening said stop switch, respectively,and a fifth circuit, including said fourth device andaseventh switchadapted, when closed,rto close.

said fifth circuit, said seventh switch being ganged with said sixthswitch so as to be open and closed when the latter is closed and open,respectively, whereby said driven clutch member and the rest of saidreel drive is subjected to a brake action on opening said stop switch.

12. In reel-winding apparatus, the combination with a reel stand forremovably supporting a rotary reel, a power drive for a supported reelon said stand, and a stock guide movable back and forth in windingrelation with a driven reel on said stand, of guide-operating meanscomprising a rotary spindle in threaded engagement with said guide,manual means for turning said spindle in either direction, avariable-speed spindle drive permitting manual turning of said spindlewhen inoperative and adapted, when operative, to turn said spindle inopposite directions for movement of said guide, back and forth betweenend positions in which it is in winding relation with a driven reel onsaid stand at the opposite ends, respectively, of its axial wind-onrange, at a speed at which to lead stock in orderly side-by-side laysonto the reel, and control means, including rst, second and thirdelectrical switches of which said thi-rd switch is normally in oneposition and `shif-table into another position, said control means beingoperative, on actuating said first and second switches, to render saidspindle drive operative and inoperative, respectively, to start andterminate a stock-laying operation of said guide and said control meansbeing further operative, on shifting said third switch into said otherposition and on its return into said one position during a reelwindingoperation, to render said spindle drive inoperative and operative,respectively, thereby to permit manual rotation of said spindle duringan interruption in a reelwinding operation for guide alignment.

13. The combination in reel-winding apparatus as set forth in claim 12,in which said control means is also operative, on actuating said firstand second switches, to render said reel drive operative andinoperative, respectively.

14. ln reel-winding apparatus, the combination with a reel stand forremovably supporting a rotary reel, a power drive for a supported reelon said stand, and a stock guide reciprocable axially of a driven reelon said stand, of guide-operating means comprising a rotary spindle inthreaded engagement with said guide, manual means for turning saidspindle in either direction, and first and second variable-speed spindledrives, including first and second normally disengaged clutches,respectively, for turning said spindle, on engagement of said first andsecond clutches, for movement of said guide in first and second oppositedirections, respectively, at a speed at which it leads stock in orderlyside-by-side lays onto a driven reel on said stand; and control meanscomprising first and second electrical devices adapted, when energized,to cause engagement of said first and second clutches, respectively, afirst circuit for said first device, including a first switch and anormallyclosed interrupter switch in series, and being closed on closureof said switches, a second circuit for said second device, includingsaid interrupter switch and second and third switches in series, andbeing closed on closure of said interrupter, second and third switches,said first and second switches being ganged so as to be in open andclosed positions, respectiveiy, and vice versa, and both beingreleasably latched in either position, first and second relays adapted,when energized, to close said first and second switches, respectively,means including a fourth normally-open switch carried by said guide andshiftable into first and second positions for energizing said first andsecond relays, respectively, limit stops engaged by and shifting saidfourth switch into said first and second positions on movement of saidguide in said second and rst directions, respectively, into second andfirst end positions, respectively, in which it is in winding relationwith a driven reei on said stand at the opposite ends, respectively, ofits axial wind-on range, so that said guide reciprocates between saidpositionswhen said third switch is closed, and control provisions foropening and closing said third switch to start and terminate astocklaying operation of said guide, respectively, said interrupterswitch, when opened during a stock-laying operation of said guide,opening said first and 'second circuits to cause an interruption in saidguide operation during which said spindle may manually be turned forguide alignment.

15. In reel-winding apparatus, the combination with a reel stand forremovably supporting a rotary reel, a power drive for a supported reelon said stand, and a stock guide reciprocable axially of a driven reelon said stand, of guide-operating means comprising a rotary spindle inthreaded engagement with said guide, manual means for turning saidspindle in either direction, and first and second variable-speed spindledrives, including first and second normally disengaged clutches,respectively, for turning said spindle, on engagement of said tirst andsecond clutches, for movement of said guide in first and second oppositedirections, respectively, at a speed at which it leads stock in orderlyside-by-side lays onto a driven reel on said stand; and control meanscomprising first and second electrical devices adapted-,when

energized, tocause engagement of said first and second clutches,respectively, a first circuit for said first device, including a firstswitch and a normally-closed interrupter switch in series, and beingclosed on closure of said switches, a second circuit for lsaid seconddevice, in cluding said interrupter switch and second and third switchesin series, and being closed on closure of said interruptor, secondl andthird switches, said first and second switches being ganged so as to bein open and closed positions, respectively, and vice versa, and bothbeing releasably latched in either position, first and second relaysadapted, when energized, to close said first and second switches,respectively, means including a fourth normally-open switch carried bysaid guide and shiftable into first and second positions for energizingsaid first and second relays, respectively, limit stops engaged by andshifting said fourth switch into said first and second positions onmovement of said guide in said second and first directions,respectively, into second and first end positions, respectively, inwhich it is in winding relation with a driven reel on said stand at theopposite ends, respectively, of its axial wind-on range, so that saidguide Areciprocates between said positions when said third switch isclosed, a normally-open main Switch ganged .with said third switch sothat the latter is open and closed -with the former, a main circuit,including said main switch and a normally-closed stop switch, and beingclosed on closure of said main switch, a third relay connected in saidmain circuit in series with said main switch and adapted, whenenergized, to close th'e latter, a starting'circuit for said thirdrelay, including a normally-open start switch adapted, on closure, toclose said starting circuit, and a third circuit, including said firstrelay and a fifth switch adapted, when closed, to close said thirdcircuit, said fifth switch being ganged with'said stop switch so as tobe open and closed when the latter is closed and open, respectively,whereby said guide is automatically returned to said first position onopening said stop switch, and said interrupter switch, when openedduring a stock-laying operation of said guide, opening said rst andsecond circuits to cause an interruption in said guide operation duringwhich said spindle may manually be turned for guide alignment.

16. The combination in reel-winding apparatus as set forth in claim 15,in which said ree drive includes a third normally disengaged clutchadapted, when engaged, to render said reel drive operative, and controimeans therefor comprising a third electrical device adapted,whenenergized, to engage said third clutch, and a fourth circuit,including said third device and a sixth switch adapted, when closed, toclose said fourth circuit, said

